Brenau's Dr. Ken Frank, a veritable superstar in the world of college-level alternate dispute resolution education, gets things rolling at Brenau Downtown Center's Theatre on the Square Thursday morning as student mediators gather for a day of training before going head-to-head in Friday and Saturday competition.

More than 130 students from 22 U.S. Colleges and Universities Kick Off 15th Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament

Brenau University hosts college and university mediators from across the United States this weekend as the 15th annual intercollegiate mediation tournament brings more than 130 students from 22 U.S. schools to town Nov. 6-8. The tournament opened Thursday with a day of final preparation and training before beginning the Friday and Saturday competition to determine the best student mediators in the country. For the second time in the past three years, Gainesville-based Brenau University plays host to the International Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament, sanctioned by the InterNational Academy of Dispute Resolution professional organization. The organization usually stages the tournament at its birthplace in Des Moines, Iowa, at Drake University, or in Chicago. The Brenau sessions are open to the public.